Detachable actuator for valves



Dec. 3, 1963 w. E. swARTz ETAL DETACHABLE ACTUATOR FOR VALVES Filed March 8. 1961 INVENTORS Mil/4M 5'. SMRTZ MAL/4M L. KQAYER ATTORAEY AIQ SUPPLY I 4 IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII United States Patent 3,112,761 Patented Dec. 3, 1963 3,l12,7 61 DETAQHABLE ACTUATOR FOR VALVES William E. Swartz, McKeesport, and William L. Krayer, Mount Lebanon, Pa., assignors to Calgon Corporation, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 8, 1961, Ser. No. 94,284 4- Claims. (Cl. 137-6825) This invention relates to apparatus for establishing pneumatic set points of predetermined value. More particularly, it relates to a pneumatic set point station capable of generating a series of pneumatic pressure signals of predetermined values and ratios and which may quick ly and easily be reset to generate a different series of pneumatic pressure signals of different predetermined values and ratios.

In a weighing or mixing operation such as the mixing of concrete, cement, chemicals, and the like for delivery to a concrete mixer or chemical react r of one kmd or another, it is often the case that the same or similar ingredients must be mixed in various proportions. Frequently, as in the case of concrete, for example, the ingredients are mixed, or batched in several commonly used proportions. It is the present practice in the trade, Where there is no automatic batching system, to repeatedly calculate and measure the amount of each ingredient needed, even though the same proportions are called for a number of times in a days or weeks operations.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which will deliver a pneumatic pressure signal which is determined by the length or other characteristic of a key associated with the result desired. It is a further object of this invention to provide a new means for automatic batching. Our invention is applicable to any operation requiring a series of pneumatic signals of predetermined values and ratios. Other objects will appear in the description which follows.

Our invention is an apparatus which will generate one or more pneumatic pressure signals of predetermined value or ratio which may be used to provide end points for weighing apparatus or the like, bias or set points, or to operate valves, hoppers, or the like to deliver ingredients of a mixture in known values or ratios as functions of the pneumatic signals, or to perform any other function where a series of pneumatic signals is needed in predetermined ratios.

For convenience of discussion, the description of the operation of our invention will be restricted to concrete batching. It is to be distinctly understood, however, that it is equally applicable to any operation requiring a number of pneumatic pressure signals of predetermined values or ratios.

In the mixing of concrete, various uses for the concrete require various proportions of the ingredients. scale operation, a mobile concrete mixer is positioned under a hopper, chute, or the like, the ingredients are added, and the mixer moves out to permit another mixer to enter. The point of delivery may be for one or sever ingredients. Our invention is applicable in either case. For a detailed explanation of two variations of our invention, reference is made to the drawings.

FIGURE 1 is a more or less diagrammatic side elevational view of one signal-generating unit.

FIG. 2 is a more or less diagrammatic overhead view of a signal-generating station having four units.

FIG. 3 is a key which may be used to set the desired proportion of ingredients in the four-un't station of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational section of the preferred pneumatic diaphragm signal-generating chamber and housing therefor.

FIG. 5 is a preferred variation of our invention in which the key applies a force directly to the beam without the use of a lever.

Operation of the invention will be described along with the physical description.

Referring now to FIG. 1, base 1 extends the length of the signal-generating un't illustrated. Key 2 passes through slot 3 in base 1 Key 2 may be locked in place by sliding lug 16 inserted into orifice 15. Fine adjustment screw 4 on key 2 makes contact with lever 5 mounted on fixed pivot 6, moving lever 5 in a clockwise direction. Coiled spring 7 is stretched by the downward mo tion of lever 5, thus exerting a clockwise force on beam 8, to which it is attached. Beam 8 is mounted on fixed fulcrum 9, which is preferably fixed to base 1. The side of the beam opposite to that on which the spring 7 is attached holds a head 10 which passes freely through slot 11 of base 1 to diaphragm chamber 12 having an air supply receiving means and an output transmitting means. The details of the construction of device 12 are shown in FIG. 4. For convenience of discussion the arms on each side of the fulcrum 9 on beam 8 may be referred to as L; and L Preferably the arms will be equal.

FIG. 2 is an overhead view of a plurality of the units of FIG. 1, grouped to accommodate a single key. Base 1 has been broken away to expose levers 5 and beams 8. Slot 13 is in this case long enough to accommodate a key having four elongated members or extensions. The free ends of levers 5 are spaced and located preferably directly below slot 13 to make contact with a key inserted through it.

FIG. 3 illustrates a presently preferred form-of key having four extensions A, B, C, and D. Each has a fine adjustment screw 14 which ma effectively lengthen 'or shorten its respective extension. Orifice 15 is shaped to accommodate a sliding lug or bar 16 for holding the key in place. Difierent keys may be made to suit different operations.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational section of chamber 12. This device in combination with beam 8 is fully described in Bulletin MSP-lZO of the manufacturer, Hagan Chemicals & Controls, Inc. A regulated air supply, generally at 60 p.s.i., enters tube 20 and is normally entirely blocked at inlet port 21 by poppet pilot valve 22. When beam 8 is forced slightly upward, however, exhaust port 23 is closed by end 24 of the valve stem and poppet valve 22 moves upward to open the inlet port 21. Air entering chamber 25 through the open inlet port exerts a pressure on diaphragm 26 tending to force beam 8 downward and opening the exhaust port 23. A balance is reached at the point where the downward air pressure in chamber 25 is equal to the upward force exerted on diaphragm 26 by beam 8. The air pressure thus generated in chamber 25 is transmitted through output port 27 to-be used in controllers, valves, meters, or other instruments as a bias signal, operating signal, or the like.

Thus, it may be observed that in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4, signal D has the highest value, signal C a slightly smaller value, signal A considerably smaller, and signal B will have the smallest value. The various output pressures may be used in a known manner to deliver proportional quantities of material to a desired site. Or, the signals may be used as negative bias and thus result in inversely proportional or reciprocal quantities of ingredients. They may be used to start and stop the flow of material in relation to time, weight, flow rate, or any other factor which is convenient under the circumstances.

FIG. 5 illustrates a five-point station constructed in a different manner in at the levers are not employed. Ratio relays 31, 32, 33, 34, and 35 are mounted on platform 36 in any suitable adjacent manner. Each has a 4 pneumatic signal generating chamber 37 as previously p Other variations and modifications may occur to those described in FIG. 4. Each has a movable beam 38 skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It is mounted on fulcrum 39. The rear end of beam 38 is to be distinctly understood that the presently preferred equipped with channel 40 for receivin spring 41 and embodiments illustrated and described may be otherwise directing its force to the end of beam 38. Support 42 constructed Within the scope of the following claims. elevates base 43 to its position over the spring ends of We claim: the ratio totalizers. Base 43 is provided with slots 44 1. A pneumatic signal generating station comprising: corresponding to each spring location. Key 45 having (A) a plurality of pneumatic signal generating units, extensions 46 of the desired lengths is inserted into the each comprising: slots, thus compressing the springs. Chambers 37 gen- (l) a pneumatic pressure device for generating a erate pneumatic pressure signals proportional to the forces pneumatic pressure signal proportional to a meexerted on the other end of their respective beams by chanical force acting upon it, the springs as previously described. (2) a normally uncompressed coil spring in con- A variation of the embodiment of FIG. 5 employs a tact with said pneumatic pressure device for apseries of pressure signal generators as In FIG 4 mounted plying a mechanical force to it, and in the inverted position directly under a key 46 and spring (B) a base adapted to receive a key COIIlPllSll'l" a pludevice 41 as shown in FIG 5 In other Words, a comrality of extensions whereby Wnen a key is inserted pressed spring force IS applied directly to head If This said springs are compressed to cause said pneuellminates the need for a fulcrumed beam, however, it is matic pressure devices to generate pneumatic presnot as readily adjusted. 23 sure signals proportional to their respective comany variations in the illustrated presently preferred pressions. embodiments may be employed Within the scope of our 2. Apparatus for simultaneously providing a series of invention; For example, base 1 need not exi t a illu pneumatic signals of predetermined ratios comprising: trated We need only a rigid support of any kind for (A) a plurality of pneumatic pressure generating units, key 2. Fixed pivot 6 may be mounted on any stationary each comprising a beam mounted on a fulcrum and body Likewise, fulcrum 9 need not be mounted on base aving arms L and L a rigid member mounted on 1. Indeed, the ratio totalizer described in the previously a fixed pivot and having means for contacting a key, mentioned bulletin of Hagan Chemicals & Controls, Inc. a spring connecting one arm of said beam and said is particularly suited for use in this invention In this rigid member such that when said rigid member 18 device, the fulcrum is mounted on a support which may piv t a force is exer ed on said beam, and means be anchored to any base or other support. Thus, our inlocated on said beam for generating a pneumatic vention may include any stationary support for the fulpress re proporti nal to he force exerted on said crum 9, fixed pivot 6, and key 2. eam by said spring;

Key 2, shown in detail in FIG 3, may be of any shape a base havmg means for accommodatmg a y so long as there is a stationary support for it which enlocated in spaced relation to the said means on said ables extensions A-D to make contact with levers 5 to rigid members fQT contactmg 3 and exert a force proportional to their len ths For example, a key comprising a body and a plurality of exthe key shown in FIG. 3 may e mounted on a pivot as a tremities of predetermined length relation for concam, and simply turned to be locked into place. Of tact-mg Said rigid membercourse, any number of extensions may be employed. The 3. A pne Signal generating Station comPrl'singi key employed in FIG. 5 is a variation from that of FIG. 1) a plurality f signal generating units, each m- 3 in that the extensions are not made from a single soiid prising means for generating a pneumatic pressure body A set of removable key extensions of a shape simisignal proportional to a force action upon it lar to those of FIG 5 may be made to be adapted to a (b) a base adapted to receive a key having a plurali y key holder to be used and removed on any desired comf extensions; and bmatlon- 1 (c) means adapted to exert forces proportional to the Lever 5 may be Plvoted between the key and spnng lengths of said extensions on said signal generating as Well as at the end It may be attached to spring 7 to uni-m provide tension, as In FIG. 1, or compression of the The combination comprising e 50 spring as is used in FIG. 5. Where compression or the (a) the Signal generatmg stanon of d m 3, and

(b) a key having a plurality of extensions, said key the underside of the beam 7 adapted to be received by said signal generating sta- Fulcrum 39 in FIG. 5 is adjustable. In the ratio totalcause It generate Pneumatfc 81811318 izer used, the arm ratios L1 /L2 may vary f about portional to the lengths of said extensions. 45 1 to about 1 45 Use of this adjustment enables a wide range of spring strengths to be used and permits References Cited In the file 0f thls Patent ratio afdjustnlgents for valrliiations not used often enough UNITED STATES PATENTS to justi yma ing a specia ey.

ther means for generating a pneumatic signal ro. 423462 Vvhlmngham 5 1890 portlonal to a force are, of course, known n the a t The 1234643 Dayle July 2 1917 device illustrated as chamber 12 (FIG, 4) may b 1,788,586 Y 13) 1931 placed by any such unit. Although we prefer 3 dia- 2,505,887 Edlson May 2, 1950 phragm device having a poppet valve a de rib d, we 2,511,923 Larsen June 20, 1959 mean to include in the scope of our invention any d vi ,3 52 H s n ept. 10, 7 capable of generating a pneumatic signal proportional to 2,979,073 Edison Apr. 11, 1961 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3, 112, 761 December 3, 1963 William E. Swartz et a1 It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

In the sheet of drawings, and in the heading to the printed specification, title of invention, for "DETACHABLE ACTUATOR FOR VALVES", each occurrence, read APPARATUS FOR ESTABLISHING PNEUMATIC SET POINTS OF PREDETERMINED VALUE Signed and sealed this 28th day of April 1964.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W, SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

3. A PNEUMATIC SIGNAL GENERATING STATION COMPRISING: (A) A PLURALITY OF SIGNAL GENERATING UNTIS, EACH COMPRISING MEANS FOR GENERATING A PNEUMATIC PRESSURE SIGNAL PROPORTIONAL TO A FORCE ACTION UPON IT; (B) A BASE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A KEY HAVING A PLURALITY OF EXTENSIONS; AND (C) MEANS ADAPTED TO EXERT FORCES PROPORTIONAL TO THE LENGTHS OF SAID EXTENSIONS ON SAID SIGNAL GENERATING UNITS. 